'Wow, That John Kerry Sure Has a Great Military Record (Compared to Mine)'

George Bush stepped into the row over his presidential opponent's war record yesterday, declaring John Kerry had served "admirably" in Vietnam and calling for an end to all political attack advertisements sponsored by non-party groups.

The president made clear that his appeal included a rightwing group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which has broadcast adverts accusing Senator Kerry of lying about his combat experience and falsifying his medal citations.

But the Kerry campaign said the president's intervention fell short of the clear denunciation it had demanded. Democrats said the president's remarks treated the veterans' claims as no worse than other attack ads by supposedly independent groups, questioning the group's source of finance rather than the substance of the ads, which they reject as a smear.

Mr Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, said: "The moment of truth came and went, and the president still couldn't bring himself to do the right thing. Instead of hiding behind a front group, George Bush needs to take responsibility and demand that the ad come off the air."

Translation from GWB: 'OK can we please get off this subject now, everyone??? Someone might start talking about my military record again. It's getting a little too hot in the kitchen (a good Republican used that phrase, right?). Besides, has everyone forgotten that MY convention is coming up next week? I need an issue that will stick. Someone give me an issue. Karl? Dick? Grover?'